Town Centre BID

Luton, Bedfordshire

Award winning BID now in its third term

Following discussions with the Town Centre management team and Luton Borough Council, pfbb UK led the development of Luton BID, becoming operational in 2015.

Luton was facing heavy competition from local places such as Milton Keynes and even smaller towns such as Dunstable, Hitchin and St Albans as they were all continuing to invest in their future making them a more commercially attractive setting to workers and visitors.

Since the first vote, pfbb UK has managed the Luton BID to achieve a considerable amount in terms of making the town look more attractive and driving footfall through an improved and more coordinated calendar of events, both of which have had an impact on improving overall perceptions of the town. The BID also acts as a collective voice for the businesses of Luton town centre representing a diverse range of interests and business sectors which ultimately all want the best for Luton.

Luton BID gained their renewal status in 2019  and again in 2024,  both times led by pfbb UK. The latest BID Proposal and Business Plan builds on the last ten years of work to address the overall perceptions of Luton town centre but will be also embracing the successful businesses of the surrounding area to build the pride and confidence in Luton as a place to invest and grow.

pfbb UK continues to manage the BID with its full range of retained strategic, operational, technical and back office services to fully implement the business plan that runs through until 2030.

The Luton BID initiated the Luton Task Force formed and chaired the Luton COVID Communications Group in response to COVID-19. Working closely with partners it supported businesses with providing clear information during uncertain times, supporting them in accessing much-needed funding and lobbying on their behalf for greater assistance.

The BID has  continued to work with partners to implement plans to assist the development of the town centre. It works closely with Luton Councils Economic Regeneration team to translate the long term strategies into a meaningful delivery  plans. This BID term of 2025-2030 covers an exciting period in the towns progression with the relocation of Luton Town Football club to a new stadium at Power Court and a significant mixed used development (The Stage) adjacent to Lutons transport hub and cultural quarter (Hat District) .

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Significant Achievements

  • Saw significant improvements in visitor and business perception of the town centre as a place to visit and as a place to do business.
  • Increased visibility of Police in Luton town centre by match funding officers resulting in the police re-establishing a reporting centre in the mall.
  • Secured ‘Purple Flag’ accreditation for safe evening offer in May 2018.
  • Leveraged in additional £1.2 million for a three-year arts and events programme and £20,000 for Divali in the town centre.
  • Supported Luton Investment Fund to attract £375,000 of funding for the ‘As You Change so do I’ project.
  • Luton Culture (The Culture Trust, Luton) and the BID supported the programme with a £10,000 a year contribution for three years and helped lever in £350,000 for events in the town centre.

Testimonial

‘As Chair of Luton BID I have worked with pfbb UK since they developed the BID back in 2014. Since then the pfbb UK team have managed the delivery of the BID plans and taken the BID into its second and now third terms.
 
We are very fortunate to have such a professional, experienced and technically skilled team supporting the Board and managing the BID to deliver real benefits to the businesses in Luton town centre. Through the effectiveness of their project delivery the BID has made a real difference to the way the town centre looks and feels.
 
pfbb UK’s place making expertise also enables the BID to play a key strategic role in working with the council in the development and delivery of its masterplan which is key to changing the perceptions of the town centre and enabling Luton to reach its full potential. 

On top of this, they aren’t scared to challenge ’the norm’ and really do feel like incredible team mates through the issues that any town or City might have.
 
I highly recommend pfbb UK as a highly professional and competent team who deliver valuable benefits to BID business levy payers.’

 

Gavin O Brien

BID Chair and Director of Clearhead Media